I spent a lot of time researching glass baby bottles (especially the benefits of glass baby bottles). I think that Evenflo Feeding Vented Plus Glass Bottles are the best glass baby bottles for formula babies, while Philips Avent Natural Glass Bottles are the best glass baby bottles for breastfed babies. These choices have a lot to do with the nipple design and functionality, as well as quality.
Best Glass Bottles
Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottles are made from thermal shockproof glass, which can take a beating from dropping and temperatures; whereas Joovy Boob Glass Bottles are not constructed from tempered glass, making them prone to breaking and chipping.
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Wide-Neck Glass Baby Bottles
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Wide-Neck Glass Baby Bottles are the glass version of the classic Dr. Brown’s bottles parents have used for years but with a curvy bottle shape.
The Specs
If you’re familiar with Dr. Brown’s bottles, you’ll notice the same anti-colic vent system in these glass bottles that the original bottles have. The anti-colic vent system is helpful for reducing spit-up, gas, and burping. If there are any troubles cleaning this vent system, simply add baking soda and clean thoroughly with a bottle brush to get into the tiny spaces. On the other hand, if you don’t need the vent system or your child outgrows it, simply remove it and use the glass bottles as usual without the vent.
A breast-shaped and wide-neck nipple is designed to help your baby feel as those they are breastfeeding, creating familiarity and comfort. According to a comprehensive study of 884 babies, 94% of them accepted Dr. Brown’s breast-like bottle nipple when feeding.
Worried about the glass breaking? Parents say these glass bottles are durable if they are dropped. With a glass interior and exterior, you don’t have to worry about bottle staining either. Keep in mind that they will be slightly heavier than a plastic bottle so you may need to help baby hold them until their arms get stronger.
These are available in 5-ounce or 9-ounce bottles and recommended for babies ages 0-12 months.
What I Love
- No staining
- Anti-colic vent system (that is removable)
- Studies show most babies accept these
- Available in 5-ounce or 9-ounce
- Curved bottle shape
What I Don’t Love
- Vent system could be difficult to clean without brush
- A bit pricey for one bottle
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottles are great glass options for newborn babies and up!
The Specs
What’s great about these glass baby bottles is that 97% of moms recommend them (according to a Tommee Tippee study)! The soft and flexible nipple helps babies feel as if they are breastfeeding which encourages latching. If you’re transitioning from breastfeeding to bottles or want the occasional bottle option, this is a good bottle to try.
To help reduce tummy issues, each bottle has an anti-colic nipple valve that allows ventilation so your baby isn’t taking in as much air when feeding. The curved shape of the bottle offers the option to hold it in 3 different ways: cradled, gripped, or held from the base.
These Closer to Nature Baby Bottles come with Slow Flow nipple (size 1) for newborns. Other flow rates are available for 3+ months and 6+ months. If you’d like a different sized nipple, you can find those here. There’s even a wider nipple designed for thickened formula if you want to put cereal in it. Tommee Tippee offers these bottles in multiple counts (1, 2, 3, 4, 6) and as part of a Starter Set.
What I Love
- 97% moms recommend
- Anti-colic nipple valve
- Multiple nipple flow options
- Multiple ways of holding bottle
What I Don’t Love
- Some say these bottles are difficult to clean
NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles
The NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles are innovative baby glass bottles that feature extra-soft nipples with multiple holes in them.
The Specs
The 8-ounce bottles are equipped with the medium-flow nipples that have multiple holes in them to allow baby to feed the most comfortably, just like they would if they were breastfeeding. Like most glass baby bottles, these bottles also include the anti-colic Air System to help reduce burps, gas, spit-up, and of course – colic.
If you’re in need of nipples other than the medium-flow nipples that come with these NUK bottles, you can find Slow Flow nipples and Fast Flow nipples here. The Slow Flow nipples feature 3 holes whereas the Fast Flow nipples feature 9 holes. As your baby gets bigger, they can easily take in more milk at one time.
Based on a study done in 2019 with mothers in Germany, NUK nipples were accepted by 96% of babies, which is comforting to know! The NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles are available in 4-ounce and 8-ounce bottles, both being in a gender-neutral color.
What I Love
- 3 different nipple options
- Nipples have holes like mother’s
- Accepted by 96% of babies in study
- Anti-colic Air System
- Great price
What I Don’t Love
- How they look (color and no curvy shape)
Joovy Boob Glass Bottles
Joovy makes a plastic bottle aptly named the boob, and it has many fans among parents. The Joovy Boob Glass Bottle is the glass version of that bottle, and it’s just a great of a feeding bottle.
The Specs
There’s not much to brag about with the glass bottle itself. It doesn’t absorb odors or tastes like plastic. It has a basic, ergonomic design that makes feeding easy. A major plus is that this sturdy glass bottle is recyclable for when you are done with it.
This bottle is available in 5 ounces and 8 ounces, with measurements printed on the sides. Each glass bottle comes with a different colored silicone sleeve depending on what color you want (Turquoise, Blue, Pink, Yellow, or Green). The silicone sleeve adheres to the exterior to help keep a better grip on it. But like all glass, treat it with care, or it will break. Since this glass isn’t tempered, it’s easy to break or crack.
As for the nipples, this bottle works with the Joovy Boob nipples. These are designed with twice-baked silicon for extra softness and feature a wide and deep design that encourages a more natural latch. You can find it in 5 flow rates, ranging from preemie (don’t forget the Best Preemie Formula!) to X-cut (which is extra big). The Joovy boob is resistant to yellowing, tears, and bite marks.
This bottle uses Joovy’s CleanFlow vents, which nest into the rings of the bottles. This patented technology works so that no matter how the bottle is tipped, there’s a hole for the air to release. This reduces gas and colic in bottle-fed babies.
The three-piece system (vent, ring, and nipple) is easy to wash, but it’s kind of a pain having the extra piece (the vent) to put on. And if you don’t do it in the correct order every time, it’ll leak everywhere. That’s only a big deal in the middle of the night, when you can’t remember who you are or what day it is and all you know is that baby is hungry.
One downside of the Joovy glass feeding bottles is that they aren’t compatible with the Joovy insulators and Dood sippy cup accessories like the Joovy plastic bottles are. Still, you get the same awesome nipples and accessories, so I’ll say it’s still a win.
What I Love
- Thick glass with printed guides
- Ergonomic shape and silicone covers
- Wide neck is compatible with Joovy Boob nipples
- Patented venting technology works every time
- Natural nipple for better latch
What I Don’t Love
- Glass is prone to breaks, chips, and cracks
- Extra vent is a pain to keep track of
- Not compatible with the insulators or Dood sippy cups
Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottles
I didn’t think a list of glass baby bottles would be complete without this product. The Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle is the pioneer and leader of the silicone covered glass baby bottle world.
The Specs
The glass is made from a super quality and durable glass called borosilicate glass. It resists thermal shock, so if you accidentally put a cold bottle from the fridge under boiling hot water to warm, it won’t shatter. The completely clear and dishwasher safe bottles are available in 4 oz and 9 oz.
The narrow opening of the bottle makes it compatible with most major breast pumps, which is a huge bonus!
The outer is surrounded with a silicone cover. The holey design means that both you and baby can find a good grip nearly anywhere. It also means that no matter how you drop it, it’s insulated and protected as best it can be. This silicon is dishwasher safe too, so you won’t have to remove it prior to washing.
One thing I don’t like about having the silicone cover on the whole thing is that the printed guidelines suck. There are few ounce markings, but no milliliter markings. Plus they are hard to read. Some veteran bottle maker parents probably won’t mind, because you know the overall capacity of the bottle and you can guesstimate. But I like to know how much water/formula baby is getting with each feeding, and I really, really don’t want to have to measure that out separately before I make a bottle. Because that’s just ridiculous.
The Lifefactory nipples here are nothing to brag about. They’re a BPA/BPS free, phthalate and lead free, and FDA approved silicone in a classic nipple shape. They work fine, but you’ll have to get the right nipple size for the best flow rate. Also, not venting means lots of air. Not a great option for gassy or colicky babies.
A feature that I love about Lifefactory Glass feeding bottles is that they are compatible with the nipples, the flat caps, and the sippy caps. These bottles, if cared for well, can really be used for years and years because they grow and adapt with your child.
What I Love
- Classic bottle shape with amazing silicone sleeve
- Thermal shockproof glass can take a temperature beating
- Compatible with most major breast pumps
- Regular nipples made from safe materials
- Work with the sippy cup lids
What I Don’t Love
- Size guides printed on the silicone sleeves is not ideal
- No venting = lots of gas
Best Avent Glass Bottles
Philips Avent Natural Glass Bottle
The Philips Avent Natural Glass Bottles are another favorite in the best glass bottle for breastfed babies category. I have used Avent bottles before for nieces, nephews, and siblings, and even a few times for my own kids. These glass versions certainly don’t disappoint.
The Specs
These bottles are made from a tempered glass that’s both heat and thermal shock resistant. It’s actually called borosilicate glass, and it’s pharmacy-grade, super-pure glass with zero lead. The bottles have an ergonomic shape to help make bottle feeding easier on you and your baby. They’re available in both 4 ounce and 8 ounce sizes.
The design of this glass bottle features a wide neck for increased user-friendliness. There’s a measurement guide printed on the side to show you exactly how much liquid is in the container.
The Avent glass bottles include the bottles, caps, rings, and nipples. The plastic used in these bottles is a polypropylene (PP) plastic. It’s BPA free and dishwasher safe. The bottles are compatible with all Avent Natural products, like other wide neck nipples.
The wide-based nipple mimics the breast so that breastfeeding babies latch easier. The nipple shape also mimics the breast and has built-in comfort petals, which help to make the nipple more flexible and softer. These petals also help the nipple to keep its shape during feeding, so it doesn’t collapse. The nipple features two anti-colic valves that release air back into the bottle and not into your baby’s stomach.
If you need more anti-colic bottles or bottles for babies with reflux, check out our helpful article with all the best products.
What I Love
- Glass is easy to heat and can be dish-washed and microwaved
- High-grade glass is not easily broken
- Wide neck makes cleaning and heating easy
- Parts disassemble easily for quick and thorough cleaning
- Nipple doesn’t collapse during feedings
- Soft and shaped silicone mimics the breast for smooth transitioning
- Faster flow nipples mimic real let down
What I Don’t Love
- Over 10 ounces of weight for the 8 ounce bottle means that it’s heavy
- Rings and nipples get leaky after a few uses
- Bottle shape is awkward to hold for an extended time
Best Evenflo Glass Bottles
Evenflo Feeding Vented Plus Glass Clear Bottles
This one bottle wins the best glass baby bottle for feeding formula category, hands down. It gets consistently wonderful reviews. After looking at it myself, I like it a lot because it seems sturdy. And it’s cheap, too.
The Specs
These shapely bottles are made from a lead-free tempered glass that can withstand extreme temperatures (i.e. your fridge and your dishwasher). You can purchase the 6 ounce size to start, and then graduate to an 8-ounce bottle. You can also purchase these Evenflo Feeding Vented Plus Glass Clear Bottles in classic clear glass, or tinted teal or lavender if you’re feeling fun.
The twisted design of the bottle makes it easier for parents and babies to hold on to during a feeding. It provides a better place to grip. It also allows all of the liquid to drain out easier without splashing down when tilted. There are molded glass ounce and milliliter markings on the side for easy mixing and measuring. (Don’t forget to read our Best Formula article for our in-depth formula reviews!)
The included neck rings and caps are made from plastic that is PVC, phthalate, and BPA free. These are standard bottle size, which means that these bottles will work with most other pumps or nipples on the market.
The nipple is made from silicone, which softer and easier for baby to use than latex. It’s also got the Pro Venting technology, which helps reduce gas and colic. The vent is integrated into the nipple so that it’s all one piece. This vent helps the nipple to not collapse during feedings, while also helping to direct air bubbles into the bottle and not into baby’s tummy.
What I Love
- Very inexpensive, yet well made
- Vent system works well to make baby less colicky and gassy
- Molded glass measure markers can’t wash off over time
- All materials are safer for baby
- Compatible with all standard neck bottle accessories and pumps
- Parts are easy to clean and sanitize (dishwasher safe)
- Tempered glass is seriously tough to break
What I Don’t Love
- Twist design isn’t that comfortable and makes buying a silicone sleeve difficult
- Can be hard to get neck on tight enough to avoid leaks
- A bit heavy at just over 9 ounces for the 8-ounce bottle
Glass Baby Bottles Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed.
The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with
the product compared to others in the table.Philips Avent Natural Glass Bottle 7.5 9.4 78.99 NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles 9.4 9.4 32.66 Joovy Boob Glass Bottles 4.7 8.8 21.99 Dr. Brown's Options+ Wide-Neck Glass Baby Bottles 9.9 9.4 18.95 The Specs 8.9 9.0 16.87 Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle 9.8 9.0 13.99 Evenflo Feeding Vented Plus Glass Clear Bottles 3.9 8.6 -
Glass vs Plastic Baby Bottles
Giving glass to a baby might seem like a terrible idea. After all, plastic seems so soft and safe. But have you ever thought about what’s in that plastic? And have you considered the fact that your baby is drinking from that plastic multiple times a day for a few years on end?
Such a realization might lead you to research plastic a little more as I did. While most baby products are made without the use of BPA, a known toxin that once was included in a lot of everyday baby gear, that doesn’t mean that your baby’s plastic bottle is completely safe. It might still contain small plastic hard particles that are breaking down and leaching into baby‘s milk (which defeats the purpose of buying the best organic formulas, am I right?)
Another health issue with plastic is the difficulty of actually using it. Although it might say you can, you really shouldn’t be microwaving or dishwashing your plastic baby bottles. It wears them down and increases the risk of chemical exposure. Plus, plastic has the bad habit of hanging on to odors and bacteria, much more so than glass.
And if you breastfeed and give the milk to your baby, you’ve no doubt experienced the frustrations of having the fat separate inside the bottle. In a plastic feeding bottle, this fat sticks to the side of the bottle and doesn’t want to mix in. That doesn’t happen with old-school glass feeding bottles.
And whether you breastfeed or formula feed, you have probably noticed that your plastic bottles get an icky film on them. That’s because plastic is holding on to the fats in the milk. That’s also why they get that weird film over time- the plastic is retaining foods and cleaning agents alike, making the bottle look dirty.
Beyond the possible health implications of plastic, there are environmental implications. Think of how many bottles you’ve probably used for your baby. If you’ve used them a lot, they’ve no doubt eventually stained, warped, scratched, or just become ugly, and you’ve thrown them out.
Once a baby bottle is thrown out, do you know how long it takes for it to decompose? It takes 450 years for your typical plastic water bottle to decompose, and some of these thicker and more compound plastics, like is probably found in your baby bottle, can take up to a thousand years to decompose!
Glass is awesome for the environment because it offers reusability to the max. One set of glass baby bottles can probably last you years, and certainly through your baby’s entire feeding journey. Plus, when you’re done with the bottles, they are 100% recyclable. And glass recycling is much more easily accessible than plastic recycling.
Bottom line: Glass is better and is actually recommended over plastic.
FAQs – Glass Baby Bottles
Are glass baby bottles the safest baby bottles?
Glass bottles tend to be the safest choice for baby bottles. Plastic bottles sometimes include BPA (bisphenol A) that leaks into baby’s milk or formula. With glass baby bottles, you don’t have to worry about BPA. Chemicals can come from microwaving plastic bottles as well. Plastic bottles don’t seem to clean as well either and develop a “foggy” look over time, whereas glass bottles stay clear and are always dishwasher safe.
The only concern with glass bottles is that they are, of course, made of glass. These can shatter if dropped from high places like high chairs or grocery carts.
Are glass or plastic bottles better for babies?
Like I mentioned above in “Glass vs Plastic Baby Bottles: Why You Should Give Glass to a Baby,” glass bottles are great for the environment and do not harbor bacteria as plastic bottles do. They also are able to mix formula better than plastic bottles as the formula doesn’t stick to the sides of a glass bottle like they do a plastic bottle.
Can I use 8-ounce glass baby bottles for a newborn?
Yes, using an 8-ounce glass baby bottle for a newborn is completely fine as long as you have the correct flow of nipple on the bottle. Most glass baby bottles include faster flowing nipples so you’ll want to use a slow flow nipple with a larger bottle until baby is ready to move up to a different sized nipple. The only downside to using an 8-ounce glass baby bottle is it will be heavier than a 6-ounce bottle.
